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WSPY 1480

There is an update on WSPY - Geneva, Illinois

First they changed their call sign to WDYS on May 1, 2021

They still have a CP for 250 Watt daytime only and new COL for Somonauk, Illinois. Apparently they are currently constructing the new antenna tower.

And now they have applied with FCC to add a nighttime coverage with 140 Watts from the same location as the daytime CP.
 
JJSPC said:
You really have to wonder why they have bothered all these years and are now spending more money to keep something like this on the air.
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That was my initial thought as well. But Somonauk is in a strong growth exurban area. Maybe the idea is to run an ethnic format, broker it, and/or apply for a translator. I certaintly see WSPY's adult standards format (last I heard) making much sense in a location where the new construction.....both residential and commercial....appears to be aimed at young families.
 
pattywells said:
It appears their FM translator at on 101.5FM will cover almost all of the AM broadcast area. WDYS-AM 1480 kHz - Somonauk, IL (radio-locator.com)

I give a lot of credit to these smaller market stations. They can have a good impact on their communities. Let's see what they can do!
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There it is. My prediction comes true before I even made it! Looks like the CP for the translator was grnted a little over a month ago,.

Seriously, that stick is locate in the midst of one of the state's fastest growing areas. And owner Larry Nelson's stations are known for heavy doses of live and local news, sports (including pbp), and community involvement. In my earlier post, I MEANT to say, WSPY's prior adult standards format NOT making much sense in the station's new location. With the WSPY calls gone, and a new approach for a new location, I can see Larry's investment paying off.
 
Looks like the new station(s) are going to be transmitting from or very near the existing WSPY-FM stick. A 3.1KW class A FM on 107.1
 
It appears FCC granted WDYS a CP for nighttime operation to go along with their daytime CP of 250 Watts. The applied for 140 Watts at nighttime, but were only granted 10 Watts by FCC. That's just a glorified TIS.
 
CADXER said:
It appears FCC granted WDYS a CP for nighttime operation to go along with their daytime CP of 250 Watts. The applied for 140 Watts at nighttime, but were only granted 10 Watts by FCC. That's just a glorified TIS.
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I dont see where they applied for 140... and the FCC doesnt say "you applied for 140, but were only giving you 10"... if 140 was impermissible.. ie: would cause interference to someone, theyd deny the applicaiton, say it was too much, why and the licensee would have to reapply with what would fit.
 
The application was revised twice by the applicant. I don't see a way to get the original application, but I see no reason to doubt CADXER that 10 watts is less than the original requested night power.
 
 
The preparer clearly wrote 14 watts on the Dataworld Study. Why did he first apply for 140 watts? I'd have to look further to see how it ended up as 10 watts. WLMV 1480 must be quite well protected. Have to look that up also.

While it is a fairly simple application, like with a School Teacher, completeness and neatness helps you get past the FCC engineer that reviews the application.

At the very least, show how you arrived at the permissible power level, based on the electrical height and vertical radiation characteristic. Preferably typed, showing the calculations.
 
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I think we have an AM station here that will exist only to feed the FM translator. As Cyberdad tells us, the Chicago suburbs keep getting pushed further out so this is a good move. According to Radio-Locator.com, the tower will actually be closer to Plano, IL, a couple of towns east of Somonauk.

I predict the station is going to call itself something like "FM 101.5" or "Sunny 101.5." My guess is the operation won't even refer to the AM except for the legal I.D. The FM translator will be on the dial right between 101.1 WKQX Chicago and 101.9 WTMX Skokie.
 
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There's a 250-watt low-power fill-in on 101.5 (W288AY) broadcasting from the Hancock Building, directional WSW. There's another 150-watter (W288CY) in Tinley Park, a southwest suburb, so the Somonauk blowtorch won't get much farther east than Naperville, if that. Both those LP stations ruined decades-long reception of WBNQ Bloomington, which rolled up I-55 like a trucker most of the time with a good antenna.
 
tvnut said:
There's a 250-watt low-power fill-in on 101.5 (W288AY) broadcasting from the Hancock Building, directional WSW. There's another 150-watter (W288CY) in Tinley Park, a southwest suburb, so the Somonauk blowtorch won't get much farther east than Naperville, if that. Both those LP stations ruined decades-long reception of WBNQ Bloomington, which rolled up I-55 like a trucker most of the time with a good antenna.
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Can confirm, WBNQ regularly came in like a charm in Joliet until W268AY lit up in Minooka.

I'm sure the WDYS translator will be a great provider of Westwood One satellite programming in no time at all, just like all of the other Nelson stations.
 
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